Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 26 August 2025 – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration (MFAI) hosted a consultation with government agencies to support strengthen the Cook Islands nuclear security framework which is being advanced with support from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
The consultations were led by officials from MFAI, and the National Security Directorate of the Office of the Prime Minister and officials were drawn from National Environment Service, Ministry of Transport, Cook Islands Police Service, Te Marae Ora, Emergency Management Cook Islands, Seabed Minerals Authority, and Ministry of Marine Resources.
The Cook Islands became a member of the IAEA in December 2024 and among the initiatives being advanced by MFAI is the articulation of the Cook Island’s first Integrated Nuclear Security Sustainability Plan (INSSP). The INSSP is an IAEA framework that supports countries identify vulnerabilities in their nuclear security regimes and establish priorities for strengthening them through a whole of government, coordinated approach drawing on international resources from the IAEA and other international partners as required. While the Cook Islands does not manage nuclear material, participating in the INSSP ensures the Cook Islands maintains clear policies, strong procedures, and readiness in line with international standards. The consultation also covered the Nuclear Security Information Management System Self-Assessment Tool (NUSIMS SAT), which agencies will use to review six key areas of nuclear security, identify any gaps, and set out priority actions.
“The Cook Islands, being the birthplace of the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty (more commonly known as the Rarotonga Treaty), has a long-standing commitment to nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament, which the INSSP can reinforce and help address current and emerging nuclear security challenges,” said MFAI Secretary Tepaeru Herrmann. “We envisage the INSSP will also assist the Cook Islands in using nuclear science to support address challenges such as climate change and mitigating environmental impacts”.
Advancing the INSSP aligns with the recent decision of Pacific Islands Forum Foreign Ministers Meeting held in Suva on 14 August for the Pacific region, through the Pacific Community (SPC) to develop a long-term approach to provide interpretation, guidance and assessment of scientific data on all nuclear-related discharge and contamination issues in the region.
The consultations were facilitated by MFAI officials Ms. Tatryanna Utanga, Foreign Service Officer and Ms. Mackenzi Wichman, National Security Advisor alongside Mr. Wayne Robati, National Security Officer from the Office of the Prime Minister.
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